#STUDENTFARMER - SEPTEMBER 2019

THE AMBASSADORS’ EDITION

September 2019

Meet the

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

The NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors are ready to take over british farming

PLUS: BEING NET ZERO, TASTY BEEF, BLOCKCHAIN, FARMING IN LONDON, MAKING SENSE OF BREXIT 237529.indd 1

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#CONTENTS

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THE S&YFAP HAS LANDED!

PUBLISHED BY:

NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ FILLED WITH WORDS BY:

Huw Hopkins, Orla McIlduff, Tom Sales, Emily Roads, Tim Relf, Jo Travis DESIGNED BY:

John Cottle

TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT:

Alan Brown on alan.brown@nfu.org.uk CONTACT:

studentfarmer@nfu.org.uk /StudentFarmer @studentfarmer @studentfarmer

After years of building the idea and months of work, we are super chuffed to have launched the NFU’s first ever Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme with this edition. We managed to get the group of 10 dudes and dudettes to Stoneleigh for a photo shoot, to learn more about them, and also explain how they will get involved with the great British farming industry.

You will be able to read about their progress in each edition of the magazine this year, but turn over to find out who was selected from the masses of applications we received to be on the scheme.

It’s been a bonkers few months thanks to all the political jostling. Since I last wrote one of these blurb things, we have a new Prime Minister, we didn’t leave the EU – and we might not by 31 October either *shrug emoji* – and it has felt like farmers are bearing the brunt of the planet’s environmental issues, despite British farmers being pretty damn excellent at looking after it.

For these reasons, we caught up with the NFU’s big politics brain, Nick von Westenholz, to find out what it all the latest Brexit stuff means. We’ve also taken a look at how farmers are looking after the land they work on, as well as how you can get involved. Plus to celebrate the goodness that is British beef, we have put together a couple of scrummy recipes in our Don’t Get Scurvy pages to help you stay well nourished this year.

Elsewhere in the past few months, it has been pretty cool to see the NFU come together and get behind the Brighton Pride Festival this summer. We promoted the importance of looking past colour, creed, sexuality or gender this time last year, but seeing NFU Vice-President Stuart Roberts join the celebrations – as well as support from Massey Ferguson, which supplied a rainbowed Sassey Ferguson tractor for the parade – shows how welcoming this industry can be.

Who knows where we will all be by the time I’m writing this column in January, but either way, it’s awesome to put this edition of the magazine into your hands, and I hope you’ll love it as much as we all love British farming.

Huw Hopkins Editor, #studentFarmer September 2019

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#SYFAP

MEET THE STUDENT & YOUNG FARMER AMBASSADORS

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he first year of the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme (S&YFAP) has begun, with 10 young people who will represent the NFU for the next 12 months.

This group went through a tough application process and beat out huge numbers of contemporaries that were attracted wide array of activities the S&YFAP offered. It also presents a great networking opportunity for a number of young enterprising individuals that are on the path to be key farmers of the future.

The programme is a year-long series of events designed to give young people the opportunity to engage with the work of the NFU. From the Lord Mayor’s Show

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in London, to visiting processors and farms, the ambassadors will broaden their understanding of the industry and become trained in presenting themselves and the NFU’s messages to the media, as well as in writing and on social media.

NFU Vice-President Stuart Roberts said: “Agriculture is changing at a great speed, from the politics that surround it to the technology we use to produce food, so it is important for the NFU to have a programme like this that can encourage and nurture the next group of talent that is about to enter the industry.

“The 10 individuals each bring something different to the group and they will be able to learn from each other.

Farming needs a programme like this and

Huge numbers from around the UK and beyond applied, and now the first cohort of ambassadors has been announced I’m looking forward to being involved with their progress over the coming year – I just wish there was something like this available when I was younger.”

Senior Marketing Adviser Gemma Bower said: “We were amazed at the number of strong applicants we received for this inaugural year of the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme.

It was difficult to get it down to just 10, but we are thrilled with the talent we’ve identified and can’t wait to get them into HQ for the induction in September.”

Stay tuned to the S&YFAP by joining the Student & Young Farmer membership category at NFUonline.com/sectors/ student-farmer/

September 2019

18/09/2019 18:11:23

#SYFAP GEORGINA BARRATT EAST MIDLANDS

Georgina, 25, is studying for a PhD in sugar beet water use efficiency. As well as a keen passion for research, Georgina is the president of her university’s clay pigeon shooting club and wants to broaden her knowledge of the agricultural industry.

@gbarratt93 I can’t wait to get started and make the most of all the opportunities it brings. Looking forward to meeting all the other ambassadors, see you all soon.

GEORGE BISS SOUTH EAST

An agricultural apprentice on the Isle of Wight, 20 year-old George Biss wants to dispel the myths that sometimes are found around the food and farming industry. He understands how close-knit island farming communities can be and wants to see how this fits into 21st-century farming. @georgebiss98 Loud & proud! Looking forward to the start of it all

GETHIN JOHNSON NFU CYMRU

Gethin, 24, is an agricultural engineering college lecturer in Carmarthenshire, west Wales.

Gethin’s long-term ambition is to farm but he is kept busy now addressing the lack of farming knowledge in his college students. @GJ_Fabrication Very fortunate to be given this chance to make a difference

ANNA HUNT EAST ANGLIA

Anna Hunt, 20, is a dedicated young farmer who is currently studying at Durham University.

Alongside working and running the social media on her family farm, she has created several initiatives to engage the public with farming, including bringing a tractor to her high school and giving talks in local primary schools.

SOPHIE THORNTON NORTH EAST

Twenty-two-year-old Sophie Thornton has just graduated from Harper Adams University. In her final year dissertation, she looked at Blockchain in the supply chain, which you can read about on page 32. She wants to improve farmer/retailer communications.

SIONED DAVIES NFU CYMRU

Twenty-one-year-old Sioned Davies is about to commence her final year at Harper Adam University following a year working for Co-op in Manchester. She loves the red meat industry and is working on a business plan to launch her own brand of Welsh meatballs.

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#SYFAP

JAMES MACLEOD WEST MIDLANDS

James (JJ) Macleod is a 23-year-old assistant farm manager who is passionate about connecting the public to the food they eat.

He runs his own YouTube channel where he invites the public to see how varied a career in farming can be.

HARRY MADIN NORTH WEST Harry Madin is 22 and is a hill shepherd in Cumbria and is really interested in this uniquely British way of farming. Harry also sits on the NFYFC Vision 2023 group and has a long-term ambition to become a tenant farmer in the Lake District.

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POPPY BURROUGH SOUTH WEST

Poppy is 19 years old and is an apprentice engineer with JCB. From Devon, she is about to embark upon a year as YFC junior vicechairman. She is is also a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) ambassador for JCB.

DANIEL WELLS SOUTH EAST

Twenty-four-yearold Daniel Wells is a herd manager who is particularly interested in helping shape the farming industry postBrexit, especially in relation to labour availability. He has an ambition to win the RABDF Gold Cup by the time he is 30. @dan_wwells Very proud to be given the opportunity to represent the industry and hopefully drive forward change..looking forward to getting started @NFUtweets @StudentFarmer #agriculture #TeamDairy

September 2019

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30/08/2019 14:04:44

#BREXIT

NAVIGATING

THROUGH

BREXIT No matter where you stand on Brexit, the UK will be affected.

So, #StudentFarmer looks at what the NFU has been doing to help

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September 2019

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#BREXIT

IT’S ANYONE’S GUESS

Even the NFU’s top politics brain is even finding it difficult to follow what’s going on in Westminster and the EU, but Nick von Westenholz explains what might happen in the next few weeks and months

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here’s a joke doing the rounds in Westminster that you now only need a week in British politics to provide enough information for an entire undergraduate politics degree. That’s probably never been truer than in recent days; not only have political developments been fast moving – a new Prime Minister, a radical overhaul of the Cabinet and a stark change in approach to Brexit and other government policy priorities – but some of the fundamental elements of our constitution are being stretched and challenged in unprecedented ways.

We should resist the calls, however tempting, to just “get it over with” and opt for what some have called a “clean

Brexit” by leaving without a deal at the end of October. In truth, no deal just means a delay in agreeing the deal that must eventually be done with the EU, extending the uncertainty and erecting barriers to doing business with our largest trading partner in the meantime.

What happens in the months and weeks ahead remains anyone’s guess – a general election seems inevitable, and another referendum cannot be ruled out. But these are merely staging posts. They fail to take any of the many Brexit outcomes off the table. So we continue to focus on the outcomes British farming needs endeavouring to secure the best future for NFU members.

YOU NEED A HEARTY MEAL TO THINK GOOD You should never go making big decisions on an empty stomach. And the NFU figured that’s why our politicans are struggling so much with all this Brexit stuff. That’s why we spoke to the good people in the Westminster cafes and canteens.

The NFU worked with the food teams and convinced them to make meals that only contain British products, and we might be biased, but they sound pretty damn tasty. Here is one of the menus from Back British Farming Day this year at the Terrace Cafeteria in the heart of Parliament.

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• • •

British leek and potato soup Baked filled aubergine with roasted courgettes, peppers, cherry tomatoes and fine beans with cracked wheat and a tomato and basil sauce Grilled cod with mangetout and broccoli, caper and parsley salsa British beef and potato paprika goulash with braised rice Braised British lamb's liver and onions

Anyone got the number to reserve a table?

GETTING MPS OUT ON FARM Just ahead of being announced as Prime Minister, Mr Johnson visited an NFU farm, where members Nick Bumford, Tim Morris and Henry Robinson explained why agriculture needs to avoid a no-deal Brexit scenario, and the importance of farming to the UK, before Mr Johnson spoke to a crowd of 250 local farmers and rural supporters.

Henry asked Mr Johnson to urge the UK Treasury to maintain the existing agricultural budget of £3.2 billion, which is essential if farming is to prosper outside of the EU. Mr Johnson explained that he would help farming get ready to leave the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit scenario by using “deficiency payments”.

At the end of the meeting, Mr Johnson banged the kitchen table and said: “I will support farming.”

NFU officeholders are leading the way in encouraging politicians to visit farms, and the member of parliament for Hitchen and Harpenden, Bim Afolami, recently visited Vice-President Stuart Roberts in Hertfordshire.

Stuart said: “With a new-look government, British farming needs passionate, educated advocates in parliament to support the industry’s need after Brexit.”

Get tips to engage your MP at NFUonline.com/about-us/ our-offices/external-affairswestminster/ September 2019

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#IPM

VERY IPMORTANT WORK Farming does a lot to look after the planet, but Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can reduce the need to spray crops as much – so #SF wanted to learn more about it

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f you’re not practicing it at home on your farm, you’ll have heard about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at uni, because it’s the phrase on everyone’s lips. IPM is becoming increasingly important, not only because it’s a legal thing with something called the Sustainable Use Directive and the government’s 25-year environment plan, but also to help farmers after losing pesticides and the development of resistance.

Many farms already have IPM programmes in place, using techniques like rotational ploughing, spring cropping, delayed autumn drilling and extended rotations to help tackle weeds. These can reduce the risk of resistance developing.

We wanted to meet a few farmers currently practicing IPM:

IAN WALLER

Ian Waller is a first-generation farmer from Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire. He farms 450 hectares at home and manages another 300ha for neighbours.

He is passionate about soils and direct drills the majority of his land at home. When asked about staff, Mr Waller joked: “I employ one man and 200 million earthworms!”

He has grass margins and hedges around all his fields that are not all cut every year, ensuring a good supply of flowers and berries for his community of insects and birds. He has made a decision to not use any insecticides for the past three years. This has allowed the populations of beneficial insects to build up so natural predators control the majority of crop pests. He controls black grass by minimal soil disturbance, hand roguing and delaying drilling until November. By that point, aphid numbers are low so Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus is rarely a problem.

Ian is also growing catch and cover crops so his soil has almost year-round cover to minimise water loss and soil erosion. Radish, mustard, crimson clover, phacelia and buckwheat are under-sown or spun on using a pneumatic spreader, which means that when wheat is To find out more about IPM, visit harvested the cover crop is established.

NFUonline.com/ipm where there This provides habitat for beneficial is a step-by-step guide to help insects; improving the fertility and deep you create a plan appropriate for rooted plants are improving the soil your farm structure and drainage.

JOHN PAWSEY John Pawsey farms 650 hectares organically at Shimpling Park Farm, and another 980 hectares (also farmed organically or in organic conversion) for others.

PHIL JARVIS He said: “We look at the overall picture, Phil Jarvis is farm manager of The starting with the design of our rotation.

Allerton Project, the 333ha research and “It is as diverse as the market will allow demonstration farm based in Loddington and takes into account crop architecture in Leicestershire. that governs the crop’s ability to The farm traditionally focuses on longoutcompete weeds.” term IPM projects that encourage and John also uses several passes with a increase beneficial species numbers, while Gregoire Besson disc/tine cultivator or a maintaining a focus of keeping a profitable Horsch Terrano cultivator down to about farming business. While he agrees there four inches. Repeated passes take out the is a greater risk of a pest infestation, he majority of weeds before drilling with the says that due to the reduced input costs Swedish System Cameleon drill. he would hope to have money to cover any He plants on 321mm row widths crop failures. allowing space for the Cameleon to go Fundamentally, Phil’s farm focuses on through inter-row hoeing and planting rotation and varietal choice. He has a under sown grass and clover at the same seven-crop rotation of barley, winter and time. However, John’s philosophy is that spring beans, oats, wheat, oilseed rape and mechanical hoeing is a last resort. If he can grass leys to protect his soil and reduce establish crops with good architecture they the costs associated with nitrogen input can shade out competitive weeds. and cultivation. He also uses cover and He also said mechanical weeding might companion cropping, soil nutrient testing, not work on all soils. If there is resistance buffer strips and bait plants amongst many from dry clay soils, weeds might be more other IPM techniques. difficult to combat with some hoes.

September 2019

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#GENERATIONZ

A CONVERSATION WITH

NFU Dairy Board Vice Chairman Paul Tompkins discusses his recent experiences talking to Generation Z

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an you remember life before the internet and social media? I do, and occasionally fear I don’t have the linguistic ability to have a conversation with people who can’t remember ‘the old days’. Young adults like the readers of this magazine have grown up in a continuously connected world and you’ve developed words I can’t even guess the meaning of.

But this summer I had occasion to mix farming policy with Generation Z, and, boy, you’re good at articulating your opinions. The cohort I spoke to, born after the millennium, is creeping towards adulthood in the knowledge that society is not exactly delivering prospects. Your adulthood is likely to be poorer than your parents, and you’ll experience the effects of climate change and feel frustrated with the current political process (perhaps we do have something in common!).

Faced with challenges seen by no other generation, it would be safe to assume most of your age group is becoming disengaged with farming. Yours is the generation the tabloids tell us have never heard a cow ‘moo’ or think all sugar is grown in the Caribbean, but if I have learnt anything this summer it is that this could not be further from the truth.

In July, I attended a consumer panel facilitated by DairyUK, which presented a snap shot of views from more than 1,000 members of Generation Z. The panel reflected the findings of a wider consumer survey undertaken by DairyUK with not always comfortable views on dairy products.

What I discovered is that your generation has learned about food habits and cooking skills from your parents, but have since been challenged by social media influencers with an anti-farming agenda. You want to eat healthily but you’re price sensitive and focused on the environmental impact of farming techniques. This mixed info has left you conflicted.

Some young people will buy almond juice to help save the planet but will have cheese sandwich for lunch because it is cheaper than chicken. They believe dairy farmers need to go further on welfare but are not always willing to question food sources when eating

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Paul Tomkins learned about the views of Generation Z out of home. Being constantly connected, they are sceptical of online sources, even turning away from sponsored social media influencers in favour of the new ‘micro influencers’.

You seem to be conflicted about what’s healthy to eat, about farming’s impact on the environment and dubious about who to believe. But most of all, you care and want to have a say.

After my discussion with students in secondary education, my concerns about my linguistic ability to engage with Generation Z were unfounded. I have been lucky enough to speak with a number of groups in my time on the Dairy Board, but I have yet to find a more engaged, informed and probing audience than I have in schools.

They had well researched, mixed views, but were also hugely aware of the challenge faced by farmers of needing to feed a growing population while trying to improve our environmental credentials. One year group was happy to dismiss the interruption of an extreme vegan heckler (a teacher, no less), but still wanted to constructively criticise emissions from farm businesses.

Generation Z is engaged with food production and your views should be heard.

September 2019

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#netzero

NET ZERO:

WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR FARMING? NFU President Minette Batters laid down two red lines for achieving net zero by 2040 at a recent NFU Council meeting

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e should all be doing our part to help sustainability and tackle climate change, right?

Well, the NFU definitely thinks so, and its President Minette Batters announced earlier this year that the NFU would be working towards achieving a target of net zero carbon emissions in the farming sector by 2040.

Mrs Batters told NFU Council that her counterparts in Australian agriculture had told her that they wished they had got ahead of this policy in Australia before it became set in stone.

That said, Mrs Batters understands that this can’t happen at the cost of agricultural output or reducing farm income. For the past 10 years, NFU climate experts have led talks across industry and government to discuss ways of reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

These are three of the ways the ways farming can cut down on emissions: • By improving farming’s productive efficiency, to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions • Increasing farmland carbon storage in soils and vegetation • Boosting renewable energy and the bio-economy, to avoid greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, and removing these gases from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and carbon capture.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR SECTOR...

Poultry: NFU Poultry Board Chairman, Tom Wornham “A poultry farmer recently pointed out to me that every free range laying farm in the UK has to plant trees as part of its RSPCA assurance membership. Therefore, such farms are already positioned to comply with the 2030 reduction in ammonia of 16%, and these trees have multiple benefits as they store carbon.”

Dairy: NFU Dairy Board Chairman, Michael Oakes “The dairy sector is ready to embrace the challenge. The NFU Dairy Board is currently setting out the roadmap for net zero in the sector, which sits right behind the NFU’s vision. This area of work is crucial and resonates with members when we discuss productivity, efficiency and being better for less.”

Livestock: NFU Livestock Board Chairman, Richard Findlay “The NFU has been in discussions with Defra about a future productivity scheme that will drive more efficient, progressive and profitable businesses. We stand ready to work with government to pilot and trial a livestock productivity scheme that could deliver a step change for UK productivity while meeting our net zero goal.”

MEET THE MEMBER:

FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE

Will Dracup is a beef and sheep farmer in the South West who has built his farm to minimise climate change. He has a mixture of upland permanent pastures, rhos pastures and high sugar ryegrass leys, as well as root crops, to feed his livestock in a rotational grazing system across the farm.

There are 50 kilowatt solar panels on the farm and a 50 kilowatt log biomass boiler that is fuelled by the farm’s own wood supplies. Will said: “The rotational grazing ensures that the available land resource is used as efficiently as possible, maximising the productivity of the farm business.

“Managed livestock can improve the environmental condition of the pasture, so recording information allows immediate management gains and more informed decision making around diet. And the renewable energy from our solar panels provide heating, hot water electricity to the business and properties, with surplus electricity exported to the grid.”

How are you lowering emissions on your farm?

Tweet @StudentFarmer and let us know how you’re playing your part to achieve the net zero by 2040 ambition

September 2019

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Digby Sowerby: MDS Trainee Group 43 What university did you go to and what did you study?

The University of Bath to study International Management and French.

What appealed to you the most about MDS? Having the opportunity to complete four completely different work experiences in two years, within the industry makes, MDS tough to beat. It also offered the possibility of working abroad, which for me is a big tick.

What was your most influential learning moment during MDS? This was in my first secondment, working as intake and dispatch supervisor at Lower Hope Fruit. I came to the realisation that the academic work at university (especially French) didn’t necessarily help to get the job done. Being able to experience a role where I jumped in at the deep-end allowed me to demonstrate a different skill set that I wouldn’t have had exposure to otherwise.

If you were to give advice to anyone graduating university and looking for a career in food and fresh produce, what would it be?

Other than apply for MDS, I’d say get to know people. Go to events, email companies, be outgoing. I find this incredibly tricky, but this really is where opportunities appear. Who you know is just as important as what you know, and I don’t think this will change soon. Of course you need to be interested in the industry, but this should come across naturally if it is true.

Amy Bere: MDS Trainee Group 43 What university did you go to and what did you study?

Harper Adams University, Agri-business Why did you want to go into agriculture?

Growing up on a small holding in South Yorkshire lead me down the agricultural route, after studying Business Studies at A Level, Agri-business at Harper Adams felt the perfect stepping stone to a future in the ag industry. I often spent school and university holidays and now more recently weekends chasing sheep, making hay and everything else in-between.

What appealed to you the most about MDS? Having the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience and be thrown in at the deep end with a range of companies.

At MDS you are given the opportunity to excel by being given real responsibilities.

What has been you most exciting or memorable moment during your time on MDS? Working at BASF I was fortunate to get the project of coordinating the Real Results Farms Open Days. Being given the responsibility of representing a member company helped me understand the difference that I could make and what my strengths are.

If you were to give advice to anyone graduating university and looking for a career in food and fresh produce, what would it be?

Get as much industry experience as you can, graduate schemes are a great opportunity to learn about the supply chain over a short 2-year period, if you are not certain on the path you want to take keep your options open, you never know what or when an opportunity may arise.

Do you want to work in the food and fresh produce industry, want to be challenged and given the opportunity to develop? If you want to have the same experiences as Digby and Amy and find your best fit in an exciting career, then apply for MDS. Find out more at www.mds-ltd.co.uk or follow our trainee of the month on Instagram @managementdevelopmentservices

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#POULTRY

MEET THE LATEST PIP PARTICIPANTS

These are the industry leaders of the future who will take part in the 2019/20 NFU/ABN Poultry Industry Programme

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best-ever total of 63 applicants applied for the NFU/ABN Poultry Industry Programme (PIP), which aims to develop the sector’s future leaders.

The PIP offers insights throughout the British poultry meat and egg sectors and teaches new skills to help participants succeed in their careers.

“We were delighted to see such strong support for the programme, which is already proving to be an important stepping stone in developing careers,” said NFU Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony.

A dozen successful canduidates will now take part in a year-long schedule of special events, visits and training.

YOUR CHAIRMAN...

Independent broiler grower James Mottershead from Shropshire has been appointed as the new PIP chairman.

James was a member of the 2015/16 programme and will guide the fourth cohort of poultry talent.

The chairman’s role was advertised to all previous PIP participants and an interview process was followed to appoint the successful candidate.

“The calibre of those who put themselves forward was high and the final decision was difficult,” said Aimee.

“However, James’ experience and contribution to the national poultry board as the PIP representative meant he just edged out his fellow applicants.”

James said: “I’m enthusiastic about the future, particularly for younger people in the poultry sector.

“The PIP offers a superb opportunity for NFU members to expand their networks, receive vital training and gain exposure to all aspects of our progressive industry.

“It’s the continued personal development opportunities that made me put my hat in the ring.

“I’m keen to help mentor the programme and look forward to meeting them and watching their development over the next 12 months.”

THE 2019/20 NFU PIP PARTICIPANTS

Liz Warner, tenant farmer from Devon, producing duck and quail eggs for Clarence Court

John Malseed, turkey producer, Dartmoor. Grows 4,000 birds for the seasonal market

Karl Hodgson, broilers, Cumbria.

Two 56,000-bird units on contract with Frank Bird Poultry

Avril Ritchie, senior area manager for Noble Foods

Will Lea, layers, 38,000 free-range birds in the West Midlands. Also works for Lloyd’s/ CFP

Charlotte Howlett, rearing manager for K Fresh looking after three farms in the North East

George Powell, free-range eggs with 64,000 hens on a multi-tier system

Patrick McCloy, near Leeds, grows ducks for Avara and arable for Cockerels and McCain's.

James Porter, hopes to take over running a million-bird business in Lincolnshire

Will Raw, a key part of 210,000bird family-run broiler farm in Yorkshire

Jonathan Baxter, 128,000 freerange layers.

Farm has a strong focus on renewables

Mark Jolliffe, ABN account manager, looks after broiler, breeder, vaccine eggs and layer businesses September 2019

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#GROWINGUNDERGROUND

THE FARM BENEATH LONDON’S FEET

Clapham High Street is a long way from most horticultural enterprises, but Growing Underground is rewritng the rules on technical nous, funding schemes and reaching your customers, Jo Travis heads down under to find out more

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hirty-three metres below Clapham High Street, the next agricultural revolution has been steadily rumbling away beneath the Tube tracks.

Growing Underground, the world’s first underground farm can be found slap bang in the centre of London, based in a former London tube tunnel. Using hydroponics and LED lighting, this horticultural success story has been quietly growing micro greens and salads for Ocado, Marks & Spencer and Whole Foods.

However, Growing Underground is no gimmick – this is a stone cold business plan that has rewritten the rules on horticultural enterprises.

It’s fair to say that founders Richard Ballard and Steven Dring are not your average horticulturalists. Richard admits that he had never tried to grow anything before the first experimental crop in the tunnels. The idea for Growing Underground was born over a couple of pints and a discussion about feeding growing urban populations. Richard had

done a project on London Underground’s disused tunnels as part of his film degree and the two things coalesced into one unique business idea.

The pair were looking at a tunnel space in the City of London before the Clapham tunnel became available. The Clapham South deep-level tunnels were built during the Second World War as air raid shelters.

After the war the intention was to use the tunnels as part of a high-speed Northern Line, but that never came off. Following the war, the tunnels were packed with bunk beds to be used by immigrants coming from the Caribbean on the HMT Empire Windrush – a pretty grim introduction to life in the UK. Transport for London has always been keen that these architectural anomalies are used, but it is tricky to get a suitable business venture for a subterranean premises with only a few entrances. Plans for nightclubs and hotels were vetoed because of safety concerns.

Growing Underground was originally conceived to provide London-based suppliers with tasty fresh produce with tiny food miles.

Succession planning and set-up are issues for most farming businesses, but setting up an agricultural enterprise from scratch with no links to the sector provided a unique set of challenges and opportunities.

Biosecurity is an issue the team takes very seriously. After we had walked down the stairs to the tunnels we were ushered into a tunnel that was split down the September 2019

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#GROWINGUNDERGROUND

“WE NEED 70% LESS WATER THAN CONVENTIONAL FARMS, AND THE TEMPERATURE IS ALWAYS AROUND 160” middle: one side of the rope yellow the other white. One side is reserved for outdoor clothes and boots and the other for the farm’s wellies, white coats and hairnets. Jewellery must be removed, beards covered over and everyone scrubs their hands before going any further.

Suitably suited and booted, we make our way into the farm proper.

One side of the tunnel is bathed in a pink light, while the other is wet and bright and half empty. This is the tunnel where the micro veg is weighed, sorted into the packs and put on the conveyor belt to be stacked in boxes. There are no packers here now, as the team has finished for the day. The plants are left to germinate and then are transported to the farm first thing in the morning.

The seeds are grown on a substrate of mats that are a by-product from the carpet industry. These mats are regularly soaked with liquid plant nutrients and water, and then the seeds are germinated in aluminium trays under violet LED lighting.

At present, the mats cannot be recycled after use – something Richard and Steven are keen to address.

What they lose through lack of sunlight, they gain in consistency: the atmosphere in the tunnels is totally controllable. “We need 70% less water than conventional farms, and the temperature is always around 16 degrees. Plus, we don’t have any unproductive seasons – the sun shines all year”, said Richard.

Being underground means that there are no pests, so no pesticides are required.

And being in the middle of one of the biggest cities on earth means that finding staff is easier than on your average farm.

Most of their workers are found through an agency and there are strict limits on the amount of time people can spend underground in any one stretch.

The water and nutrient systems are part of a closed loop, so there is no run-off and the original business model was to keep food miles so low that salad could go from farm to fork in four hours.

Huge fans keep the temperature constant and the pink lights from the LEDs give the growing tunnel a slightly alien feel. The trays are flooded with water and any excess is recovered in tanks below the floor and reused.

One of the most surprising things about this subterranean salad is the intensity of

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Radishes grown under LED light the flavours. Growing Underground grows about 20 herbs, including: watercress; pea shoots; Thai basil; red amaranth; garlic chive; coriander; mizuna; micro rocket and mustard leaf. These are packaged as salad mixes for the retail trade, and each of these salads packs a real punch.

One fifth of their produce goes into the restaurant trade and Michel Roux Jr is on their advisory board as well as using their produce in his kitchens at La Gavroche.

Neil Sanderson, the ex-managing director of Florette and sustainability entrepreneur Ed Gillespie are also on the board, which indicates the ambitions the company has. Sara Halbard is also a board member and she is also non-executive director of British Business Bank and Serone Capital.

Growing Underground has forged an unusual path for a horticultural enterprise.

There has been a TED talk, a link-up with German gin distiller Monkey 47 to produce the 2018 Distiller’s Cut; as well as growing micro herb gardens for Raymond Blanc’s restaurant at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Following months of research and development, in 2014, Steven and Richard embarked upon their first crowdsourcing bid to fund the start-up. The company’s innovative nature and determination to maintain the greenest credentials meant that some cutting-edge technology would be required. They used Crowdcube to raise £750,000 and had investment from G’s Fresh Ltd and other investors. They have raised £2.2 million in total, and are now raising further funds to scale up.

Expansion and location have thrown up an unexpected wrinkle – the busy city centre location limits the size of the collection and delivery vehicles.

In May this year, they took another leap forward when they launched into Tesco. A joint venture with G’s unwashed Fresh & Naked brand has taken their produce into the UK's largest retailer.

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS FOR NFU MEMBER G’S Anthony Gardiner, who is marketing director from G’s Fresh Ltd said that the company made a small investment in Growing Underground when it launched its crowd funding appeal in 2015.

Mr Gardiner sits on the GU board, as a non-executive director, and has brought G’s expertise to the table to help the firm navigate its way into retail.

“Growing Underground predominantly sells under its own brand in Ocado, Whole Foods, Waitrose, and our latest development is to use GU pea shoots as an ingredient in our Fresh & Naked Urban Mix. This makes the GU concept accessible to a broader customer base while providing an interesting story for the F&N consumer.

Customer feedback on the product has been extremely positive and the quality of the pea shoots have been as good if not better than conventionally grown produce.

“There are a lot of these vertical farms popping up at the moment, but they are often R&D based. GU is a real business that grows a real product to BRC and M&S Farm to Fork standards for customers every day of the week.

There are a lot of opportunities for the GU brand going forward.

“From our point of view it is giving us an interest in an emerging part of the market. There is a lot of excitement in the vertical farming concept at the moment, a lot of interest is coming from large environmentally motivated investors, but it still has to prove itself.”

September 2019

18/09/2019 18:19:12

GROWING EXPERTS IN EVERY FIELD

STUDY AGRICULTURE

We’ve been teaching Level 2 & 3 Agriculture courses for generations!

Other Land-Based courses include: Countryside Management Horticulture Land-Based Service Engineering Equine Accommodation is available for students of these subjects

Come along to an Open Event: www.brooksbymelton.ac.uk/events /brooksbymelton

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@brooksbymelton

@brooksbymelton

30/08/2019 14:06:08

#SIP

NFU Sugar and British Sugar have launched the next Sugar Industry Programme for its 10th anniversary AT I N G 1 0 Y

S U GA R I N D U S T RY

S

S

SUG A R Sugar and INDUSTR YBritish

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by NFU

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A T I N G 1 0 Yointly run

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Sugar, the Sugar Industry Programme Jointly sponsored by Jointly sponsored by provides its participants NFU Sugar and British Sugar NFU Sugar and British Sugar with a 360-degree view of the UK sugar beet industry. It’s a fantastic opportunity for people working or returning to a beet growing businesses, alongside industry professionals with a sugar beet-growing client base.

The programme enables participants to gain more insight into the UK supply chain, therefore, delivering benefits to their own knowledge and their businesses.

From seed breeding to parliamentary lobbying within Westminster, the programme highlights all parts of the supply chain from production to regulation. The full programme will include the opportunity to meet with members of parliament, visit a farm to discuss best practice, gain insight from sugar traders and market analysts, alongside visits to the Wissington Factory, British Beet Research Organisation, Germains Seed Technology and NFU Conference.

Alongside the scheduled visits, participants will get key personal development opportunities with media and presentation training.

The application window will open on 2 September 2019 and close on 7 October. To apply for the programme, please submit a cover letter and your CV to bethan. williams@nfu.org.uk.

Please note that BASIS points will be available to participants on the programme.

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EVENT, LOCATION, DATE: Media training and farm visit (Overnight stay)

Newmarket & Ely

27-28 Nov, 2019

British Sugar Wissington Factory

Wissington, Norfolk

3 Dec, 2019

British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO)

Norwich, Norfolk

11 Dec, 2019

Westminster visit, including a visit to the House of Westminster, London Parliament

13-14 Jan, 2020

(Overnight stay)

SesVanderhave Research Facilities (Overnight stay)

Tienen, Belgium

28-29 Jan, 2020

Germains Seed Technology

Kings Lynn

6 Feb, 2020

NFU Conference

Birmingham

25-26 Feb, 2020

Presentation training and farewell meal,

Stoneleigh, Warwickshire

3 Mar, 2020

(Overnight stay)

(Overnight stay)

Please note that the schedule to subject to change, however, if you are accepted on to the programme you will be expected to attend all events.

September 2019

18/09/2019 18:19:20

Astudiwch ar ein fferm flaenllaw

1000 erw yn Llysfasi Amaethyddiaeth Peirianneg Amaethyddol Coedwigaeth Gofal Anifeiliaid

Cyrsiau Llawn Amser Cyrsiau Byr Prentisiaethau Cyrsiau Gradd

Pam astudio yn Llysfasi?

Defnyddiwch ein cyfleuster llaethdy sy’n werth miliynau Arhoswch yn ein llety ar y safle Mae gennym ystod eang o gyrsiau ar gyfer pob lefel Gweithiwch gyda’n fflyd helaeth o gerbydau, tractorau, peiriannau ac offer y tir modern

Yn Arwain ym Maes mewn Addysg Cyrsiau’r Tir

Study on our industry leading

1000 acre farm at Llysfasi Agriculture Agriculture Engineering Forestry Animal Care

Full Time Courses Short Courses Apprenticeships Degrees

Why study at Llysfasi?

Use our multi million pound dairy facility Stay in our on-site accommodation We have a wide range of courses to suit all levels Work with our extensive fleet of modern vehicles, tractors, field machinery and equipment

Leading the Field in Land Based Education

Rydym yn gweithio gyda chyflogwyr byd-eang We work with global employers

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30/08/2019 14:06:30

#BACKTOSCHOOL

BACK TO SCHOOL? Did you wish there were more classes about food and farming when you were at school? The NFU is working with teachers and students to engage education with agriculture

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s part of the NFU’s plan to reconnect children with countryside life, develop their understanding of farming, and increase their awareness of the fieldto-fork journey, Farmvention gets children excited about agriculture and food. The competition helps primary school children engage with key topics such as science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) by designing and creating their own food and farming products. For 2020, Farmvention involves three brand new problem-based challenges. Designed to make children think about the day-to-day issues faced by farmers and growers in England and Wales, while considering sustainability and environmental issues, each challenge is supported by curriculum-linked resources, created in partnership with the Association for Science Education.

All entrants will become certified

‘farmventors’ and receive a reward pack, and for the winners of each category, there are a host of even more exciting prizes on offer, including farm visits, invitations to an exclusive event at the House of Commons and much more.

Farmvention 2019 was a resounding success, with over 1,000 entries from schools across the country. The overall champions, Ronald Ross Primary School in the centre of London, enjoyed the excitement of having their school turned into a farm for the day. From brushing ponies and caring for newly hatched chicks to making pizza and flying drones, pupils immersed themselves in the world of food and farming, in a fantastic, unforgettable day.

Do you know primary school kids who’d love to take part? Ask their teacher to visit Farmvention.com for more information. Entries close on 23 December 2019.

SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOLS Do you want to share your farming experience with secondary school pupils?

NFU Speakers for Schools is a service provided to secondary schools in England and Wales.

Food and farming are regularly featured in the media, with many viewpoints on topics such as changing diets, climate change or animal welfare.

The aim is to give secondary school students access to voices from modern farming and to challenge misconceptions and preconceptions they may have about agriculture in the UK. The NFU Education team will train you ensure you are equipped to speak to a secondary school audience. You will learn to deliver a presentation to a school group followed by a Q&A session promoting discussion among pupils.

Email NFU Education Manager Josh Payne at joshua.payne@nfu. org.uk to get involved or for more information.

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September 2019

18/09/2019 18:20:19

Advertising feature

YOUR NEXT STEP TOWARDS YOUR CAREER IN AGRICULTURE

TRAVEL, EARN AND LEARN ON A PAID CAEP AGRICULTURE PROGRAM!

TRAVELLING ABROAD In case you haven’t looked around the farm, lately, our world is more digital and connected than ever before. From having access to global markets from the smartphones in your pocket to the integration of data collected by drones surveying the land, the future of agriculture is evolving around the globe.

But why is traveling so important? You may already have that dream job secured for after graduation or maybe you are headed to grad school, but traveling will provide you with the experiences and selfdevelopment opportunities that no job or school will ever be able to provide alone.

Traveling abroad with CAEP will allow you to see new cultures and ideas all while growing your career in agriculture. And let’s be real, once you start working or having a family, traveling will most likely be put on the back burner until later in life. So jump on that airplane today and take the opportunity while you have it!

Learn About International Agriculture

CAEP provides the perfect opportunity to travel the world and grow your career all while having the opportunity to earn and learn- yes CAEP agricultural internship programs are paid! You may be involved in robust agricultural classes at your university but having the chance to visit, and learn about farming operations and global markets on the opposite side of the globe is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Every interaction a participant has during his or her CAEP exchange experience is a prime opportunity to learn, develop and grow as an individual and as a global citizen. When young adults train abroad on a CAEP program, they develop new job skills, improve their language proficiency, and learn new ideas to help kick-start their careers.

Make Life-Long Friendships and International Business Connections On a CAEP cultural exchange program, you not only have the opportunity to travel the world, gain new skills, explore a new culture, and build your resume with a paid training program, you will have the chance to meet some of the most amazing people and make life-long friendships and business connections!

If you are a student and are ready to gain hands-on experience on a farm and learn about global trade in America, your opportunities await with CAEP! Contact us today by emailing agriculture@caep.org or visiting our website www.caep.org.

Every interaction a participant has during his or her CAEP exchange experience is a prime opportunity to develop, learn and grow as an individual and as a global citizen. When young adults train abroad on a CAEP program, they develop new job skills, improve their language proficiency, and learn new ideas to help kick-start their careers. Often, these skills and handson experiences never to be found in the classroom alone. Culture is the driver of everything and if you are involved in Agriculture at any level, you need to have an understanding of the cultures you are trading with and selling your products to.

Follow our cultural exchange stories on Facebook and Instagram!

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30/08/2019 14:06:46

#DONTGETSCURVY

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September 2019

18/09/2019 18:19:49

#DONTGETSCURVY Serves: 4 Preparation and cooking time: 40 minutes

It’s a great tradition here at #StudentFarmer HQ that we like to share favourite recipes from our own student days. Here are some hearty and easy recipes to make your housemates think you’re the cream of the crop when it comes to the kitchen.

For more yummy recipes, visit www.countrysideonline.co.uk/back-britishfarming/cook-and-eat/

Ingredients • 50g thin cut British beef steaks, cut into 5cm strips • 4tsp rapeseed oil • 1 onion, peeled and sliced • 2tbsp Thai Massaman curry paste or curry paste of your choice • 400ml reduced calorie coconut milk • 2tbsp crunchy peanut butter • 150ml good hot beef or lamb stock • 450g small new potatoes, unpeeled and cut into quarters • Salt and freshly milled black pepper • 25g roughly chopped roasted unsalted peanuts, to garnish (optional) • Large handful of freshly chopped coriander, to garnish Method 1. Heat half the oil in a large non-stick pan, add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes.

2. Stir in half the curry paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.

3. Add the coconut milk, peanut butter and stock to the pan. Bring to the boil. Add the potatoes, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked.

4. In a separate non-stick pan, heat the remaining oil, add the beef strips and the remaining curry paste. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes and add to the coconut and potato mixture.

5. Garnish the curry with unsalted roasted peanuts and freshlychopped coriander. Serve with boiled rice, naan or flatbread and a selection of Indian relishes and chutneys and seasonal vegetables or a side salad.

Serves: 4 Preparation and cooking time: 35 minutes Ingredients • 3 Red Tractor chicken breast, cut into thin strips • 4 baking potatoes • 2 x 5cm pieces of ginger, grated • 350g pack of stir-fry vegetables • 4 spring onions, sliced • 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce Method 1. Wash but don't dry the potatoes. Pierce and place 2cm apart on a microwaveable plate.

2. Cook the potatoes on full power for 12-15 minutes*, turning half way through. Remember that the potatoes will continue cooking once out of the microwave, so leave to stand for 3-4 minutes.

3. Heat oil in a large frying pan or wok on a medium heat.

Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes or until lightly brown.

4. Add the grated ginger and cook for a minute before adding the vegetables. Stir-fry for 5 minutes, then add the teriyaki sauce and cook for a further 2 minutes.

5. Cut open the potatoes and fill with the stir-fry chicken and vegetables. *Microwaves vary, so please adjust time appropriately.

September 2019

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30/08/2019 14:07:04

#UNICHECKLIST

UNIVERSITY CHECKLIST

Whether you’re a fresher or a seasoned student, it’s worth making sure you’ve got all these things ready for the new semester at college or uni

2. BORING CLEANING PRODUCTS:

Toothpaste; washing powder; bin bags; loo roll; toilet bleach. They magically appear in your cupboards at home, but unfortunately don’t when you move out.

1. FANCY DRESS:

Passing exams is all well and good, but if you’ve got strong fancy dress game you know you’ve made it. Go prepared and remember charity shops are your best friend (bonus points for farm animal fancy dress, obvs).

5. THE JOHN NIX FARM MANAGEMENT POCKETBOOK: Currently on its 49th edition, it’s been invaluable for generations of ag students when it comes to business modules.

3. WELLIES:

What’s the point in studying agriculture if you’re not going to get into the field and get down and dirty? It doesn’t matter what brand, just make sure you’ve got a pair you can chuck on to head out on farm.

6. RE-USABLE WATER BOTTLE:

It’s 2019 and we know we need to be cutting down on plastic use. Don’t be that person who buys a new bottle of water every day on campus.

4. CV:

Keep your CV up-to-date and ready to use at any time. That student loan will run out more quickly than you realise so you might want to keep an eye out for part-time jobs.

7. GILET:

If you’re going to ag college or uni, you’ll feel left behind if you don’t have one of these to keep you on brand – you can order NFU gear with 20% discount from ecommerce. nfuonline.com

8. CUTLERY AND CROCKERY:

Don’t be that really annoying housemate who doesn’t bring anything of their own to the shared accommodation, borrows everyone else’s and doesn’t wash up. Just don’t do it.

9. A PENCIL CASE:

Yeah, you might feel a bit old for one of these, but it’s practical and, let’s not lie, it doesn’t feel like the start of term without new stationery.

10. NFU STUDENT & YOUNG FARMER MEMBERSHIP:

#StudentFarmer and British Farmer & Grower magazines posted straight to your door? Discount on trailer tests? And it’s FREE? Yes please! Sign up at NFUonline. com/student September 2019

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18/09/2019 18:18:36

#SECURITY

STAY OFF MY STUFF!

New digs, new people, new situation – how can you be sure of any of it when you start university?

You can’t, so be sure to follow our #StudentFarmer’s handy security guide

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tudents are prime targets for burglars. That’s unfortunately not a surprise – a house full of students is likely to have new laptops, phones and other shiny stuff, plus the assumed naivety of those living away from home for the first time.

But aside from the security basics that all students should follow such as locking your door at all times, what do they need to know to protect themselves and their belongings that they might not necessarily think of?

DO A MOVE-IN DAY ASSESSMENT

There is an inventory you do on move in day when you agree with your landlord or lettings agency what is in the property, what’s missing and any current damage. But you should also use this as an opportunity to point out any specific security risks, and ensure that the landlord is notified as soon as possible. This then gives them the opportunity from the get go to make the steps to rectify them.

DON’T FORGET CYBER SECURITY

CONTENTS INSURANCE Contents insurance is not something that many students think about. But since they are so much more likely to be victims of crime, they need to have better preventative measures in place to avoid having to dip into their pockets if their valuables are taken.

University is already stressful enough as it is, and a burglary without contents insurance can just enhance stress.

Contents insurance covers the items inside your property – not the physical property insurance, which your landlord should already have taken out. This protects you against your valuables being lost or damaged, including vandalism and theft. Most policies are also very cheap, saving you money in the long run.

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It’s easy to put cyber security out of your mind when you’re at uni, but when you have so much vital information on your laptops and devices, it’s a smart move to prioritise it. Your computer can fail at any time, and your files need to be backed up regularly to prevent any lost files or hacks, whether you back them up by the cloud or a physical USB. Avoid using free open WiFi networks that do not have passwords protecting them. While it’s cheaper, they’re much more vulnerable as they are likely not encrypted. Make sure you implement a strong password policy for yourself.

For instance, don’t have the same password for your banking as your Facebook as once they’ve hacked one, they can hack the rest.

STAY SOCIAL SAVVY We all know the problems with posting your party to the public on Facebook. But when a group of housemates post hundreds of pictures showing them ready for their night out, you increase the risk of a neighbour finding out. It’s not a great idea to let the world know when you are having a pint, especially if they can track down where you live and pop round to check out your security, or lack of. You wouldn’t put a poster up outside your house to say you’re not in, and with the rise of social media, you need to take reasonable care.

Can the picture upload wait until the next day?

DON’T EXPOSE YOUR BRAND PACKAGING

Bought a new TV? The worst thing you can do is throw the box away and leave it outside ready for the rubbish collectors to pick it up. It’s the equivalent of saying “come in, I have nice gadgets”.

Instead, break the packaging up, it should only take a few minutes and you can then put it into the bin so nobody can see it and you aren’t broadcasting the contents of your home for everybody to see.

Call the NFU Mutual for advice on insurance at 0808 252 3359. For a checklist on what you need to check on moving day, visit www.yale.co.uk/en/yale/couk/ news/2016/articles/safe-as-houses-check-using-our-home-security-checklist/.

September 2019

18/09/2019 18:17:56

still finding your feet ?

if you’re new to sheep farming our new entrants scheme will support you every step of the way.

To find out more about how our new entrants scheme can help you, call 01274 688666 or email newentrants@britishwool.org.uk

britishwool.org.uk

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Together we’re growing something special.

05/09/2019 10:10:40

#DATAPOLICE

DATA POLICE

New technology and data in hard-to-reach locations is doing more than just helping download speeds for streaming, as Orla McIlduff found out when she went on patrol with North Yorkshire’s rural task force

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ending a team to aimlessly patrol the countryside in the hope of finding someone engaging in criminal behaviour would be an unwise use of taxpayer’s money.

This is where intelligence analyst Tom Hoyle comes in: “Blindly trying to cover the whole of the North Yorkshire area is impossible, so my colleague Judith and I try to add a bit more evidence-based policing to the work we do.

£49.9m was the cost of rural crime in 2019, as part of a report published by nfu mutual

“Part of my job is mapping all the offences we’ve had in the past year so I can observe what areas are hotspots for rural crime. I can also then see when the peak months are for certain crimes and what ones occur year-round.”

Using trends is an important part, as Tom can recognise key places and times, and identify repeat offenders and victims. This means he can direct the team accordingly, such as running security checks

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on premises within theft-prone areas or pinpointing when it’s imperative to have officers on patrol.

He said: “When I started with the team, I wrote a problem profile for the area to determine where, when and what types of crimes have been happening. We’ll revisit that each year, and see how much impact the rural task force has had since it’s been in action.”

It’s incredible how technology and data can help the police with their investigations.

Mobile phones, especially, are a key weapon in gathering evidence to prosecute criminals. If police can gain access to phone call logs, it’s possible to connect individuals to places at certain times due to the signals they give off.

With officers on the ground protecting the community and Tom working behind the scenes, the North Yorkshire force is taking a holistic approach to policing and is striving to make a meaningful difference. If the public use the services available to them and the force continues to make waves like they are already, there’s a chance we can keep pace with criminals and make the countryside safer for everyone.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? To help tackle crime in countryside communities, the NFU has teamed up with Crimestoppers UK to establish a Rural Crime Reporting Line. It essentially means that if you have information about criminal activity, you can supply it anonymously at Crimestoppers.

It can be done online at www. crimestoppers-uk.org, where you can fill out a form with all the details, including the location, date and where the crime took place, as well as any info about who did it. The form also gives you the chance to stay involved with the case if the police need to ask for additional information.

You can also do it over the phone by calling 0800 783 0137 to run through the process with an advisor.

what3words

A new app designed to help pinpoint people in need is now being used by emergency services across East Anglia.

What3Words is the brainchild of Chris Sheldrick, who was brought up on a Hertfordshire farm.

The app divides the world into three metre by three metre squares, each with a unique three word address that means anyone can refer to their exact location by using those three words.

It is now being used by all fire, police, ambulance and coastguard services across the region, overcoming problems associated with rural postcodes when looking for someone.

Chris said: “I’m particularly proud to see this, having grown up on a farm in north Hertfordshire and seeing firsthand the address issues faced by the rural community for so many years.

“It’s a fantastic moment to see our idea made available to the whole community.”

September 2019

18/09/2019 18:16:49

ARE YOU PLANNING TO START AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN AGRICULTURE? The NFU Mutual Agricultural Undergraduate Award will give four selected students a ÂŁ3,000 bursary to help support their tuition, work experience and living costs.

To find out if you’re eligible to apply for the award and access the application, please search NFU Mutual Undergraduate now

The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No.111982). Registered in England. Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

For security and training purposes, telephone calls may be recorded and monitored.

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05/09/2019 12:24:58

#BLOCKCHAIN

NEVER BREAK THE CHAIN

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Final year Harper Adams University student Sophie Thornton recently completed her dissertation to find out how Blockchain technology is working in practice for agriculture. Orla McIlduff and Ruby Powell from the NFU took a look at the findings:

lockchain is defined as a digital system created to maintain permanent, tamper-proof records within a supply chain. Think of it as an online database, in which individual businesses upload data records, and each link in the supply chain can see the data in real time.

Originally invented in 2008 by a person or group of people under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, it has been developed to reduce cost, reduce risk of fraudulent activity and increase consumer trust and transparency. However, due to the relatively little time that Blockchain has been up and running, there is very little research to support these claims.

To combat this lack of research,

the NFU supported Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Sophie Thornton as she undertook her final year research project entitled Stakeholder opinions of implementing Blockchain technology into the poultry supply chain in the UK. Her research looked into the advantages and disadvantages of implementing Blockchain and it is hoped that other agricultural sectors can use it to weigh up the pros and cons of implementing it in their supply chains.

Sophie’s research was based on a combination of anonymous surveys to interviews with key supply chain businesses and stakeholders. It revealed that knowledge and understanding of Blockchain technology across the supply chain was poor and few really understood how it works.

Of the participants who answered her questionnaire, 65% hadn’t heard of Blockchain in their current job. But of those who had, she found that better traceability was its most important advantage; the lowest ranked advantage was increasing purchasing behaviour.

Currently, there is a good opportunity for farmers to upskill and familiarise themselves with Blockchain as the technology develops, which could ultimately mean they are ahead of the game.

Being on the front foot with this technology will increase the likelihood of farmers having more control over their own data, rather than being required to do it buy a processor, retailer or assurance body.

Some businesses within the supply chain are al ready adopting and trialling the technology in the UK. It could potentially

THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF BLOCKCHAIN: PUBLIC Anyone can see the data in this “chain”, this is how Bitcoin works. However, this type of Blockchain is unlikely to be adopted within agri-food supply chains due to lack of security around having access to the data.

PRIVATE This type is where a facilitator (for example, a retailer, processor or farmer) controls access to each area of the chain. An example of this in practice would be where a retailer can see processor data but not farm data, if this is how the Blockchain was set up. It is more secure as it allows owners to have more control over who sees their data.

This could allow farmers to share antibiotic usage data with a processor, however, if a retailer wanted to see this data, then both the processor and farmer would need to give “keys” or permissions to allow that retailer to have that access.

Sophie Thornton undertook the research

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CONSORTIUM This is where a group manages the Blockchain, for example, a producer organisation.

The same principles apply in giving permissions on who can access the data. IBM food group are currently using this type of Blockchain.

September 2019

18/09/2019 18:16:11

#BLOCKCHAIN

“FOR AN EFFICIENT BLOCKCHAIN, ALL PARTIES NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE TECHNOLOGY AND SEE THE VALUE OF SHARING THE DATA” be only a matter of time until we see this taken up more widely and the costs are better understood. France and the US have already integrated Blockchain into some of their supply chains. Speculatively, it has been suggested that if the British agricultural industry and associated supply chains fail to implement Blockchain, it could hinder future trade deals.

Sophie’s findings concluded that there is still much research to be done, not only in the poultry sector but across UK agriculture. She said: “There is no best practice or ideal framework for the implementation of Blockchain in the poultry industry, but for an efficient Blockchain, all parties need to understand the technology and see the value that is created from sharing the data.”

As with all new and evolving technology, this will only come with time.

ADVANTAGES OF USING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY: BETTER AND MORE EFFICIENT USE OF DATA ACROSS THE WHOLE SUPPLY CHAIN Examples of this might include better understanding antibiotic usage or understanding the reasons for rejections. It could also help reduce response time to tackle recurring issues on issues at certain points of the chain. In turn, this could minimise costs and make the supply chain more efficient.

CREATES INTEGRITY AND BUILDS TRUST The data on the Blockchain is locked and time stamped, giving it more credibility. This can create more trust, particularly if the data is automatically uploaded using sensors. For example, a wireless logger inserted into the rumen of cattle to monitor temperature and pH, allowing optimisation of nutrition management to improve health or fertility. However, if the data is input manually, this could also be a disadvantage as it could open the chain to malicious activity.

THE ABILITY TO IMPROVE TRACEABILITY Consumers could scan a QR code and be able to see exactly what farm their selected product has come from. Depending on what permissions the Blockchain allows consumers to see, buyers could potentially be able to see age of slaughter of animal or the welfare standards its origin farm, for example. It would be at the discretion of the owners of the Blockchain to decide what consumers see.

DISADVANTAGES OF USING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY: DATA COST It is not clear how much Blockchain technology actually costs, and during the course of the research, no stakeholders shared that information when asked. More transparency in its costings is something that may encourage more uptake of the technology.

UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF THE INFORMATION AND WHO OWNS THE DATA This provoked a lot of discussion during interviews as to who owns the actual data and of what value it has to either the retailer/processor or customer. Sophie found that those who she interviewed in the supply chain couldn’t be sure of who owned the data. The retailer, farmer and processor all wanted to own the data. There was also much discussion regarding the regulations and what would happen if there was a freedom of information request put in to release the data. For example, could an NGO access all antibiotic usage data from a particular supply chain?

DATA CONSISTENCY For example, measurements (tonnes vs cases) and the terminology used.

September 2019

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#HOMEANDAWAY

Emily and Victoria Look are close sisters. They’re similar in age, height and looks. They’re even interested in the same things, so it’s no surprise they’ve got the same profession.

The only difference between them is that Emily lives and milks in New Zealand, and Victoria lives and milks in Somerset, England. Here, they tell #StudentFarmer a bit about the differences in their jobs EMILY: At peak here we’re milking 1,000 cows twice a day through a 60-bail rotary parlour. We have two people putting cups on (though a lot of farms would only have one), with automatic cup removers and teat spray, so no one is needed at the other side to manually do this. Another person is involved in milking for getting the second herd in (we have two herds of 500 cows each), locking away the first and just any other general jobs.

VICTORIA: In England, the cows get milked twice a day starting at 5am and

SISTER SISTER

Orla McIlduff chats to two sisters who live in different timezones but have very similar careers again at 3.30pm with two people in the pit milking around 250 cows. In the parlour, the udders are cleaned off and stripped out, then wiped with a warm hypocrite acid cloth, which gets cleaned and reused throughout milking. Then units go on and automatic clutter removers takes the units off once the cow is fully milked out of all quarters then we manually spray each teet with iodine.

EMILY: Here in New Zealand, we start milking at 4am and then at 2pm (they’re not super high yielding cows so that split works well) and from the first cow on the platform to the last one off, the process takes 3-4hrs. Milking is seasonal though; we only have 500 in the milking herd at the moment as we’re still calving until mid-October (though the bulk should be finished in the next month). At that point, many farms will go to 18-hour milking intervals as milk production drops in the middle of summer, then once a day before in May and June and drying off.

VICTORIA: For us in Somerset, milking happens 365 days a year and calving is all year round. The cows are housed all year round and they lie on rubber mattresses in cubicles and are fed on a TMR ration, which is fed twice a day at milking time.

EMILY: Grass-based systems are more common in New Zealand. Another big difference is that in New Zealand they work in milk solids, and not litres, in terms of payment for milk.

VICTORIA: Every farm is different in the UK and has different milk contracts to reach, depending on milk fat and/or litreage. I would say it’s much harder for a keen, young person to start up a dairy farm here as there’s more competition for land and buildings.

EMILY: There’s a massive range of ownership options for dairying in New Zealand as there are lots of sharemilking arrangements and contract milkers here.

Although Emily and Victoria currently work in different countries, they’ve both visited and worked on farms in both countries.

Have you milked anywhere else other than the UK? Tell us your stories of milking abroad by tweeting @StudentFarmer September 2019

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#TRAVEL

FROM CANADA TO DENMARK

One of the best things about studying agriculture is that it can take you anywhere – Emily Roads hit the road to learn about Canadian Karsten Nielson’s experience in Denmark

I

t is very possible that the way things are done aren’t necessarily the best way to do things, or the way things should be done.”

When Canadian graduate Karsten Nielson was working on his family’s Canadian prairie farm, which raises sheep and horses, and grows hay, he was keen to expand his knowledge. Rather than learning more from within North America, he looked across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe and settled upon a mixed pig and arable farm in Denmark.

He was exposed to different types of machinery, learning how to plough and operate under different regulations, particularly for plant protection products, as well as a new culture. Karsten also

highlighted the non-agricultural skills he learnt, from communicating across different languages (although the family spoke perfect English) and cultures, to his ability to be exposed to a completely new environment and learn from it.

He has used these skills since returning to Canada and they have helped him further his career, as well as be openminded to different or new techniques. He said: “We need to consider the possibility that a better way than what we are currently doing might actually exist, and we won’t know until we try it.”

Karsten completed the experience via the Travel to Farm programme, but there are several schemes around the world that offer a similar service of teaming up keen

“WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY THAT A BETTER WAY THAN WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING MIGHT ACTUALLY EXIST, AND WE WON’T KNOW UNTIL WE TRY IT.”

travellers with farming work placements, including WWOOF, Farm Work Abroad and Gap 360. The experiences that Karsten gained have been personally and professionally beneficial, and extremely affordable as he was hosted and paid by the family he worked for. From learning about different farming sectors and systems, to expanding his knowledge of different cultures, he said: “It was a fantastic experience that I expect I will value for the rest of my life.”

FEAR OF FLYING? Many young farmers on family farms don’t always have the opportunity to work at home if their business is a small business that can’t afford to keep them, or they might feel the need to expand their knowledge and bring it back home. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to travel internationally to find such opportunities.

Large farms or agriculture businesses often advertise graduate schemes, apprenticeships or programmes in the UK, and getting away from where you were brought up can be a form of education that doesn’t necessarily mean you are based in the classroom. Many of these are advertised on the NFU’s Jobsite – simply visit NFUonline.com/jobs/ to find the opportunity you are looking for.

View of the farm in Denmark

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30/08/2019 14:10:26

GIVE IT SOME YFC WELLY!

#NFYFC

If you’re not a member of a Young Farmers’ Club, then National Young Farmers’ Week (30 September to 4 October) is about to remind you why you should join

A

s the largest rural youth organisation in the UK, The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) has plenty to celebrate as it springs into its 87th year.

It’s why National Young Farmers’ Week, sponsored by NatWest, is a key occasion in the NFYFC calendar and why thousands of YFC members and supporters will be promoting their support for the organisation on social media between 30 September and 4 October 2019.

The week-long celebration, which is now in its fifth year, aims to raise awareness of the work YFCs around the country do with rural young people in their local communities – and to encourage more members to join the organisation.

There are 615 Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFCs) across England and Wales all offering rural young people the opportunity to develop key skills, form friendships and support their local communities. There is an extensive competitions programme on offer, where members can choose to compete

in a diverse range of contests – from stockjudging to ballroom dancing!

NFYFC’s training programme also includes sessions held on a club night – delivered by trained YFC members – through to more specific agricultural training opportunities.

There’s also a lot of fun to be had at a local level where clubs and counties hold their own rallies and social events.

All YFC members are offered opportunities to take on roles in their YFCs as well as get involved in the organisation at a County, Area and national level. This chance for such responsibility can boost confidence and positively improve personal and professional development.

It is for these reasons that the President of NFYFC and Farming Today presenter Charlotte Smith believes are why YFCs play an important role.

“YFCs are a great way for young people to learn more about agriculture, develop skills for life and celebrate the countryside.

They play a key role in connecting young people in remote locations and National Young Farmers’ Week is the perfect time to support them in their growth and development.

“It’s also an ideal opportunity for anyone to get along to their local club and find out more about being part of this amazing organisation.”

With so much on offer, NFYFC is handing the baton to YFC members to promote the benefits of membership on Monday 30 September on a day that has been called ‘Give It Some YFC Welly’ day. The aim is for members to do at least one thing to promote their YFC to a new audience. It could be as simple as wearing their club shirt to work, asking their school if they can give a presentation about YFC, or inviting someone new to a club meeting.

The remainder of National Young Farmers’ Week will focus on four key areas of YFC – food and farming, environment and the countryside, rural skills and the community.

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#FREESTUFF

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

…Student & Young Farmer members love being part of the NFU, and you will too

T

he NFU Student & Young Farmer membership is free to students and YFC members. It allows you to have a say and contribute towards the future of agriculture and horticulture, and you will benefit from access to experts in policy, food and farming, as well as bonus perks exclusive to you.

JOIN THE LARGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL FARMING ASSOCIATION AND RECEIVE:

• • • • • • •

Access to your local group secretary, NFU meetings and industry debates The latest news and briefings from our policy experts and NFU Bulletin #StudentFarmer and British Farmer & Grower magazines delivered to your door 10% saving on trailer training Welfare of Animals in Transport test for £35+ VAT Huge savings with Merlin Attractions (Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and many more) Special and heavily-discounted member rates to attend the NFU Annual Conference and other events

“This day would not have been possible without the NFU so I am eternally grateful!”

“Being a Student Farmer member keeps you informed with useful information and events, and it’s free!”

CHARLOTTE PARKIN (after visiting a farm with the nfu)

DAN HAWES

“Being a student member of the NFU alerts you to many opportunities in the agricultural sector that you may not otherwise hear about. It’s a great way to make more contacts in the industry which can help to develop your career.”

QUENTIN WATSON To find out more and sign up, visit www.nfuonline.com/ student/ or call NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 to find out more about the benefits offered by NFU student and young farmer membership

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Q. Where does

education meet innovation?

A.

Our degrees cover: Agriculture Animal Science Business and Enterprise Environment and Conservation Equine Management and Science Heritage and Archaeology Real Estate Rural Land Management

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The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has been at the forefront of agricultural education and the land-based sector for more than 170 years. The University prides itself on combining the knowledge and industry connections which stem from its rich heritage with an innovative, forward-thinking and enterprising approach.

We are ranked seventh in the UK for student satisfaction* following the publication of the National Student Survey (NSS) 2019. We also placed 10th in the University of the Year category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2019, as well as sixth in the Job Prospects category. These prestigious set of awards are based on the views of students themselves.

You can also get expert help and access to funding to set up your own business while you study at the RAU. Our awardwinning Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Programme provides an inspiring and supportive environment in which students can share, develop and launch their ideas.

We have become just the sixth university to be made a Centre of Excellence by the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE), awarded for leading edge enterprise practice and for making the development of students’ entrepreneurial skills a priority.

Set on the edge of Cirencester in the beautiful Cotswold countryside, our size provides a real sense of community; our students are a name, not a number. The campus is large enough that many facilities are on-site, yet small enough to create a close-knit community that inspires students to consider us a home from home.

Visit www.rau.ac.uk to find out more about how you can join us. Details of upcoming open days can be found at www.rau. ac.uk/study/open-days *Times Higher Education (THE) ranking of NSS Results (July 2019); does not include those universities with fewer than 1000 undergraduate or alternative providers.

looking for a career in farming and agriculture?

Job Pages The National Farmers Union recruitment site for rural and agricultural vacancies

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